Friday, 27 April 2012

Awhile ago I fell in love with some lovely earrings and contacted the shop owner to buy them.
Her response was: I love your bracelets - let´s make a switch! I was so happy!
I already have one par she made, and waited for the parcel eagerly - she didn´t just send me one, but two pairs of earrings!
I think I have worn them every day since I got them, but finally I had the time to take pictures:

Silver and mint ceramic pearls.

Visit the very talented Hilde-Iren´s shop here to get your own goodies:MonoMe on Epla

Monday, 23 April 2012

I´ve had this vintage victorian silk for a while, making some attempts to braid with it, but it was difficult. But after making my thin wrap-arounds with silver details, I thought I´d try to make one with the vintage silk too.
It worked out great! I´m not sure I want to part with it, so it sits in my workroom for now. The pictures can´t show the light, silky, matt texture, but you can imagine it?
I´ve finished it with silver and copper enamel jump rings, violet Swarovski and fresh water pearls.

Color is called "plum". It´s laying on top of the empty quills that contained the silk thread.

It says "Patented 1870", so I guess the silk is produced between 1870 and 1920.

You´ll need: Encaps of the appropriate size. They should fit snuggly around your braid, leaving only enough space for the braid + glue. Too big endcaps might become loose.

Glue: Pick the strongest glue you can find. I used to use superglue, but it can loosen if exposed to water or if something happens inside the endcap. I´ve switched to E-6000, a better glue, but it needs 24-48 hrs drying time + good ventilation.

Clasp, jumprings and charms: I use sterling silver findings and some copper for variation. I add fresh water pearls, silver charms and Swarovski crystals. Anything you like!

With a flat nose plier and a round nose (or another flat nose) plier, open the jumpring and slide it on to the loop of the endcap. Hold it with the flat nose plier and add a clasp and charms. Close tight using both pliers.